ERA congratulates ECAC on its 60th anniversary celebrations

Published on : Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) was one of the industry stakeholders that joined the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) at its 60th anniversary celebrations held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today. ECAC is a key element of the civil aviation regulatory system in Europe.

Simon McNamara, ERA director general, took part in the conference session ‘60 years of European contribution to international civil aviation’, moderated by Margus Rahuoja, director aviation and international transport affairs at the European Commission. At the conference McNamara congratulated ECAC on its achievements of the last 60 years and highlighted the very significant contributions, both socially and economically, that regional passenger and freight air transport has made to Europe and ECAC’s role within this.

With 52 airline members and over 120 aviation service provider members, ERA is the influential voice of regional aviation before Europe’s regulatory bodies. McNamara explains: “Regional aviation plays a key role in Europe’s civil aviation industry. It contributes to European economic development and is an essential social function, connecting local communities to vital services. Regional airlines are also a vital resource for Europe’s network, low-cost carriers and freight integrators, acting as capacity providers and feeders in both the passenger and freight market. This unique sector brings over 280,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs to Europe and ERA is its voice in strategic discussions on the future of the aviation industry with Europe’s regulators. ERA’s clear message is: regional aviation is essential to the European air transport market and ERA is here to protect its future.”